Production version of Alfa Romeo 4C coming earlier than expected

The public will be able to view the production version of the Alfa Romeo 4C next summer instead of at the January 2014 Detroit show, the original plan. Sources say that development of the 159-replacing Giulia saloon is on target and that there will be two production sites in the world, suggesting that there will be assembly plants in North America and in Europe.

Alfa Romeo is being relaunched in North America and is relying on the 850kg, carbonfibre-bodied 4C and Giulia to raise its chances of success, according to Autocar. The halo car for the brand is the 4C sports car. Insiders also said that the 4C’s new 296bhp turbocharged 1750cc engine is meant to be used in other models in the Fiat Group.

The new Spider is where the aluminium-block engine will initially be used. The automaker confirmed that the Spider will be released in 2015. This engine will soon be used in the Dodge, Chrysler/Lancia and Jeep models but it will be in a lower tuning level in order to increase economies of scale. According to Fiat boss Sergio Marchionne’s statement last week, he believes that this Alfa engine would be a good fit for a high-performance SRT version of the new Dodge Dart saloon.